New England budget 11.24.08

Monday

Nov 24, 2008 at 12:01 AMNov 24, 2008 at 7:54 AM

Here are the top New England regional stories coming today from GateHouse News Service. Stories are available at gatehousenewsservice.com.

Here are the top New England regional stories coming today from GateHouse News Service. Stories are available at gatehousenewsservice.com. Please submit stories below no later than 6 p.m. local time, unless you have breaking news that is changing significantly. Questions?

IN TIGHT TIMES, A HUNT FOR HOLIDAY BARGAINS - As the recession deepens, those still untouched keep a wary eye on the economy – and shop for bargains like never before
Ledger, Lambert, on wire now
With photos

'X' MARKS HOMES FIREFIGHTERS WON'T ENTER EXCEPT TO SAVE A LIFE - “It’s stupid. There’s so many people homeless and on the street, and this house sits empty. My house could catch on fire. My neighbor’s house could catch on fire,” said Felipe Da Costa, who’s lived next a house marked with a red slash on Albion Street for about four years.
CNC, Smith, on wire now
With photo

PHOTO: OUT ON A LIMB - Town employee Scott Gallagher strings Christmas lights on a tree in downtown Plymouth.
Ledger, on wire now

STATE BUDGET CUTS HURT MENTALLY DISABLED ON SOUTH SHORE - Work, Inc. of Quincy, which provides training, support and job placement for adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities and mental illness, has lost $100,000 from the state Office of Disabilities and Community Services.
Ledger, Reardon, on wire now
With photos, fact box, sidebar

Business

MAKING CENTS: IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO CUT YOUR TAX BILL - There may be time to cut your income tax bill and either owe less or get a larger refund next year. Let's start with the most obvious: investments that have lost money.
Ledger, on wire now

MASS. MARKET: NONPROFIT PROVIDES HOPE AND HELP IN A BAD ECONOMY - It hasn't been easy for Susan Butters since she lost her job at a financial company in June. The 60-year-old Plymouth resident has been busy sending resumes and attending job interviews, competing with a crowd of applicants. But the search for a new job in this weak economy can be a seemingly never-ending source of frustration.
Ledger, Chesto, on wire now

PETER CHIANCA: FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO AREN'T TOO DEPRESSED to read on, here are this year's reasons to give thanks.
CNC, on wire now

FRANK MULLIGAN: TIME TO FACE THE MUSIC - A society needs its unwritten rules. Well, one has been broken recently and, as a society, we need to address this violation. This unwritten law, codified by time-honored practice rather than the prattling of lawmakers, was simply this: “No Christmas jingles on the radio or in stores until after Thanksgiving.”
CNC, on wire now

PETER COSTA: TIPS ON HOW TO SURVIVE THANKSGIVING - Put relatives who haven’t seen one another for a year in a room and demand that they talk to each other until the turkey is ready and the result is often volcanic
CNC, on wire now

EDITORIAL: RESTORING TRUST ON BEACON HILL - Two state senators have resigned in disgrace this month, one of them charged in a federal corruption probe that widened Friday with the arrest of a Boston city councilor. The last two House speakers have faced criminal charges, and the current speaker is being investigated for payments some of his closest associates received from the recipient of a multi-million dollar state contract.
MetroWest, on wire now

JEFF ADAIR: IT'S OUR JOB TO SPREAD THE WEALTH - Advocates of smaller government make a strong case that in today's roller coaster economy, tax increases make it harder and harder for middle-class families to make ends meet.
CNC, on wire now

JON KINGSDALE: HAVING A HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN THAT YOU CAN COUNT ON - Illness and medical debt are major reasons behind half of all personal bankruptcies The need for insurance is real, but it must be real insurance.
Guest column, on wire now

EDITORIAL: BAY STATE TAKES LEAD IN 'COMPETITIVENESS' - When it comes to attracting business and talent to Massachusetts, some of the loudest arguments against the Bay State are made right here. Lobbyists and activists on Beacon Hill, in pursuit of their own agendas, are the first to scream that Massachusetts is a terrible place to do business.
MetroWest, on wire now

RICK HOLMES: PATRICK'S TOLL HIKE - The financial wreck on the Mass. Pike has been a long time coming. The collision of taxes and tolls should be a surprise to no one - least of all Gov. Deval Patrick.
MetroWest, on wire now

Sports

WATCH FOR PRO SPORTS at prosports@gatehousemediane.com

Lifestyles

FRAMINGHAM NATIVE WRITES 'COMIC BOOK' VERSION OF U.S. CONSTITUTION - In a format more familiar to Superman, Jonathan Hennessey has told an even greater adventure story about American history starring everyday superheroes named "We the People."
MetroWest, Bergeron, on wire now

MARILEE DRISCOLL: OVER THE RIVER AND THROUGH THE WOODS - Very few adults proactively make plans for exactly where they will live as they age. Those who do think about it, and decide that their home may not be the best place to grow old, often elect to move to either a senior community or a Continuing Care Retirement Community.
CNC, on wire now

'AURELIA'S ORATORIO' FULL OF VISUAL SURPRISES - Opening Nov. 28 at the Loeb Drama Center, it's a hybrid of dance, circus, sleight of hand and other elements to create an indescribable show.
Ledger, Gorfinkle, on wire now
With photo

BOSTON IS NEXT ON THE GRINCH’S LIST - You’d have to be a Grinch if the musical version of Dr. Seuss’ classic story doesn’t inspire the Christmas spirit.
Ledger, Feinberg, on wire now
With photo

ALL ABOARD FOR HOLIDAY FUN AT EDAVILLE - If you feel that pull to ride a train this time of year – there’s something especially charming about trains during the holidays – you may want to visit Edaville USA in Carver. The park has been decked out with an ever-expanding holiday light display, which includes everything from sparkling Christmas trees to giant lit-up teddy bears.
Ledger, Gerdeman, on wire now
With photo

NEW RITZ GALLERY OPENS AT THE MFA - Herb Ritts made his name photographing celebrities naked, half-clothed or robed -- from Cindy Crawford to Madonna and the Dalai Lama. So it's fitting the inaugural exhibit in the first gallery at the Museum of Fine Arts devoted to photography and bearing his name celebrates the sensuous, sagging and sublime splendor of the human figure.
MetroWest, Bergeron, on wire now
With photo

SARAH BORGES CONTINUING TRADITION WITH THANKSGIVING SHOWS - Another year almost down, and Taunton-bred Sarah Borges keeps climbing.
Ledger, Berndston, on wire now
With photo

VIDEO: PHOTOS AT GRIFFIN MUSEUM REVEAL HOPE IN GLOBAL TROUBLESPOTS -At the Griffin Museum of Photography in Winchester, photographers from VII photo agency reveal the shared experiences binding all people around the world.
MetroWest, Bergeron, on wire now
With photos

MEETING ‘TWILIGHT’ VAMPIRES WAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO DIE FOR - Young fans got the chance to meet two stars from America’s No. 1 movie, “Twilight,” in Cambridge during the weekend. Actors Kellan Lutz and Edi Gathegi were at the New England Fan Experience at the Hyatt hotel.
Ledger, Walsh, on wire now

LORETTA LAROCHE: AT THE TABLE ONE NEVER GROWS OLD - Food-related memories often sustain me when I’m going through troubling times.
Ledger, on wire now

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